Help Ray Fight for His Life and Get His Second Chance

My name is Gloria, and I am asking for help for my brother-in-law, Ray Fraijo, and my sister, Julie, who have been married for over 20 years. 

Four years ago, Ray suffered what was believed to be a mini-stroke. Until that time, Ray had been healthy and active. There had been little indication of the life-changing medical journey that was ahead of him.

During the testing that followed, doctors discovered the medical issue that had been causing Ray’s mini-strokes, as well as pulmonary fibrosis, a serious and progressive lung disease. Thankfully, the issue responsible for the mini-strokes was identified and corrected. But the testing also uncovered a completely different battle—one that would change Ray and Julie’s lives.

Ray was referred to a pulmonary specialist, and his family received devastating news: without a lung transplant, he could have only three to four years to live.

That was four years ago. That time has now passed, and here we are today.

Ray and Julie knew this day could come, but nothing can truly prepare a family for it. After four years of fighting, hoping, and doing everything possible to keep Ray healthy, they have now reached the point where a double-lung transplant is no longer something far off in the future—it is the next critical step in giving Ray a chance at more time with the people he loves.

For the past four years, Ray and Julie have fought with everything they have.

They have done everything possible to keep Ray here with the people who love him. Along the way, they have used their savings and retirement funds and depleted what they worked years to build. They have even had to give up their vehicles.

And now they are facing the biggest fight yet.

Ray Needs a Double-Lung Transplant

Ray is now beginning the testing and evaluation process for a double-lung transplant with his team of doctors at Norton Thoracic Institute in Phoenix, Arizona. His medical team will guide Ray and his family through the evaluation process and the difficult journey ahead.

This transplant could give Ray a second chance—the opportunity to keep living, loving his family, watching his grandchildren grow, spending more years with his wife and children, and making memories with the people who mean everything to him.

But Ray and Julie need help getting through what comes next.

Even with medical insurance, there can be substantial expenses associated with transplant evaluation, surgery, medications, rehabilitation, follow-up appointments, transportation, and the extensive care Ray will require before and after his transplant.

At the same time, ordinary life doesn’t stop.

There are still everyday living expenses that must be taken care of while Ray and Julie face this difficult journey. Ray and Julie will also need to be away from work during parts of this process. Julie will need to be there to care for Ray and help him through the transplant and recovery.

After four years of using everything they had to fight this disease, they simply cannot carry this financial burden alone anymore.

This Is Where We Need Our Community

We are asking our family, friends, coworkers, churches, neighbors, and community to stand beside Ray and Julie.

Every donation—large or small—can help relieve some of the financial pressure so their focus can be where it belongs: getting Ray through his transplant and bringing him home to his family.

If you are able to donate, we are incredibly grateful.

If you aren’t able to donate, please share Ray’s story. Share it with your family, friends, coworkers, church, workplace, and community. Sharing costs nothing, but one share could put Ray’s story in front of someone who is able to make a difference.

And above all, please pray for Ray.

Please pray that the right donor lungs become available when he needs them. Pray that he makes it safely through surgery and recovery. And please pray for Julie, their children, grandchildren, and everyone who loves him as they walk through this journey with him.

Ray is deeply loved.

Ray and Julie have built a beautiful, loving, close-knit family together. They have two sons, a daughter-in-law, and two precious grandchildren—a grandson and granddaughter who absolutely adore their grandpa. Their family means everything to them.

He is a husband who has shared more than 20 years of marriage with my sister. He is a father who is incredibly proud of his sons. He is a grandfather who is dearly loved by his two grandchildren.

His family is not ready to lose him.

We want Ray to have his second chance—to come home, hold his grandchildren, spend more years with his wife and children, and make the memories this disease has threatened to take away.

Please Help Us Give Ray That Fighting Chance

Donate if you can. Share if you can. Pray with us.

We need your help, and every act of kindness can make a difference in Ray’s journey.

From our entire family, thank you for your prayers, your generosity, your shares, and for helping us stand beside Ray and Julie during the fight of their lives.